“Then came the Day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover must be killed. And He sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat.” So they said to Him, “Where do you want us to prepare?” And He said to them, “Behold, when you have entered the city, a man will meet you carrying a pitcher of water; follow him into the house which he enters. Then you shall say to the master of the house, “The Teacher says to you, ‘Where is the guest room where I may eat the Passover with My disciples?” Then he will show you a large furnished upper room; there make ready.”

So they went and found it just as He had said to them, and they prepared the Passover.”

The Feast of Passover was first celebrated in Egypt when the angel of death passed over the sons of Israel and smote the first born of the Egyptians. Three days later at the Red Sea, the Jews passed through the waters parted by God and arrived safely on the other side, no longer slaves to Pharaoh. On Passover, about 32 AD, judgment passed over us and smote instead the only begotten Son of God. Three days later, Jesus rose from the dead and the chosen passed through from the penalty of death into eternal life.

It is very significant that Jesus sacrificed His life during the feast of Passover. Just as the Passover lamb was usually killed on the first Day of Unleavened Bread, there was a day appointed for our Lord to be crucified. The perfect and spotless Son of God was prepared for the Passover sacrifice over a period of 33 years. When He hung upon the rugged cross, He put an end to all other burnt offerings and sacrifices. His life laid down was all sufficient for all eternity. Jesus is the Passover “Lamb who takes away the sins of the world” (John 1:29). He is “Christ our Passover lamb who has been sacrificed” (1 Corinthians 5:7). Jesus is the perfect lamb without blemish, “but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15). “For God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21).

Biblically, the Lord’s Passover and the days of Unleavened Bread lasted eight days in duration - Num 28:17, Lev 23:6. No leaven/yeast, or foods containing yeast would be found in the home of anyone observing the Days of Unleavened Bread. Leaven was used extensively by the Egyptians, who were very advanced in their lifestyle, even in culinary skills. However, they were as different from the Israelites in their spiritual and practical values as night and day. When God called His people out of Egypt, they were meant to leave behind the lifestyle of Egypt. He was calling them back to a Godly lifestyle of consecration and pure worship. They were supposed to throw out all the leaven that could be found in their houses, or any food like cakes or bread which contained yeast. They were meant to take none of the sins of Egypt out with them as they left bondage behind and began their new life of freedom. The ‘old things’ were meant to pass away because He wanted to make all things new for them. (2 Corinthians 5:17).

There are many things the Lord is saying to us through this Scripture:

1) This is a good time to search our hearts and lives, and throw out all the ‘leaven’, the old sins that have hung around? These could be some residues of our pre-Jesus life which have still to be cut out. They could include certain relationships, habits, attitudes, thought patterns or leisure activities, to name a few. Jesus wants us to spring- clean the house with the help of the sweet Holy Spirit! Jesus the pure Passover lamb has made it possible for us to live without the leaven of past sins. His blood has set us free. We are the righteousness of God in Christ and His new creation. He calls us to live in His image.

2) Have you partaken of the Passover Lamb of God? Jesus said “I am the bread of life” (John 6:35 & John 6:48). He said (in John 4:14) “whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." He said “My flesh is real food and my blood is real drink (John 6:55) and “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him). Once we receive the sweet sacrificial Lamb of God as King of our lives, He calls us to partake of all the blessings of the Atonement from day to day, living in the power of His broken body and shed blood. This not only means walking in the power of the Blood, but also physically partaking of the cup and the bread of the Lord, in faith, appropriating all they stand for. Paul writes about the Last Supper in 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 as follows: “For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, "Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me." In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me." For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes. We can partake of the cup and bread as often as we need to, and we partake of all the reality of the Blood sacrifice and all that Jesus died to give us – freedom, salvation, healing, provision and the fullness of joy! If you need healing in your body or mind, or a breakthrough in a situation you face, partake of the precious Lamb of God. I have seen healing and breakthrough countless times, as I drank and ate daily of the sweet sacrifice of the holy Lamb of God.

3) Could you be the man with the pitcher of water or the owner of the house, and allow Jesus to use whatever you have for the glory of His name and the prosperity of His Kingdom on earth? He seeks willing vessels who will lay down their lives at His feet and say “Whatever You want of me is Yours”.

4) Finally, the Father would have you know that there is a man with a pitcher just around the corner waiting for you! You may receive instructions which may not always make sense, but Daddy is setting up blessings waiting to explode into your life. Seeds you sowed in seasons past are springing up under the earth. It will soon be harvest time! Expect the tide to turn. Expect to see closed doors open. Expect your healing. Expect to see exceedingly abundantly more than you could have ever asked or imagined for. God is commissioning angels on your behalf. He is speaking to people about you. Things are beginning to change for you, so declare it and see it happening for you!

Dear friend, fall in love with the Lamb of God. Eat and drink of Him. Live and breathe and move in Him (Acts 17:28). He is our all in all. He is our source of life and strength. He is the precious and perfect, beautiful Son of God who gave His life, and gave His love for us upon an eternal altar. He loves and adores you and has plans to prosper you. Rise up today and receive everything He has for you. You are chosen and blessed. You are His very special child!